Purpose: The MRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit (MMRU) is based in the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (www.idm.uct.ac.za) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and forms the UCT node of the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research.

Research in the MMRU is focused on mycobacterial physiology and metabolism, with a special interest in pathways and mechanisms that are of relevance to TB drug discovery, drug resistance, mycobacterial persistence and TB transmission.

Call for application: Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship to work on an interdisciplinary project on TB transmission funded by the SAMRC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This fellowship will focus specifically on the aerobiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Conditions: The following conditions apply:

1. Eligible candidates must have obtained a doctoral (PhD) degree in a relevant discipline such as Microbiology, Molecular or Cell Biology, or Biochemistry, within the past 5 years and should not have held any prior permanent professional or academic positions.
2. Applicants should have a track record of publications in international, peer-reviewed journals.
3. Experience in fundamental microbiological and molecular biological techniques including the handling and genetic manipulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis under Biosafety Level III conditions is an advantage, but is not required.
4. No direct services are required in return for the Fellowship; however, the successful candidate may, as part of his/her professional development, be required to participate in departmental activities such as limited teaching and postgraduate student supervision.
5. No benefits or travel allowances are included in the value of the Fellowship.
6. The successful incumbent will be required to comply with the University’s policies, procedures and practices for Postdoctoral Fellows.

Value and tenure: The value of the Fellowship will be between R270,000 – R330,000 and will be determined according to the expertise and experience of the successful candidate. The Conditions of Award of the Fellowships are compliant with the guidelines set out by the South African Revenue Service (SARS); the Fellowship is therefore exempt from taxation.

The tenure of the Fellowship is 1 year, but is renewable annually for a further 3-4 years depending on satisfactory academic progress.

Academic Criteria: Eligible candidates must have achieved a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline such as Microbiology, Molecular or Cell Biology, or Biochemistry, within the past 3 years, and should have an established track record of publications in international, peer-reviewed journals. Experience in fundamental microbiological and molecular biological techniques, including the handling and genetic manipulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis under Biosafety Level III conditions, is an advantage.

The successful applicant must be available to commence with the Fellowship on 01 March, 2016.

Application requirements: All applications must include:

1. A letter of application stating the candidate's areas of research expertise, research interests, and experience.
2. A CV including a full list of publications.
3. Certified copies of all academic transcripts and degree certificates.
4. Names and contact details of at least two referees OR letters of reference from at least two referees who have taught, supervised, or worked with the applicant.

Selection Process: Eligible and complete applications will be considered by Assoc. Prof. Digby Warner and Prof. Valerie Mizrahi.

Contact details for submission of applications and for enquiries: Queries can be directed to A/Prof. Digby Warner (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Prof. Valerie Mizrahi (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

To apply, please forward a covering letter, a brief (2-3 page) CV, certified copies of all degree certificates and academic transcripts, and contact details of two referees to:

A/Prof. D.F. Warner
MRC/NHLS/UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit
Room 3.03.3 Wolfson Pavilion
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
UCT Faculty of Health Sciences
Private Bag X3
Rondebosch 7701
SOUTH AFRICA

UCT’s Indemnities: The University of Cape Town reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/ or inappropriate applications. The University of Cape Town reserves the right to change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all.